The holidays can be a wonderful time. This especially becomes the case as a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to provide families with gifts or food so they don’t have to worry, or sacrifice other necessities.

Throughout the region, organizations in Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties have put time, funds and resources into giving families the most during the holiday season, including the Heart of Virginia Christmas Mother (HOVCM), the Cumberland County Christmas Mother and the South Central Virginia Operation Christmas Child Team in Buckingham.

Leadership at the HOVCM has already been offering the public numerous ways to rally support, including volunteering opportunities, ways to give financially and even getting to purchase a cuddly teddy bear with “A Farmville Christmas 2017” logo and Christmas ornaments during the town Christmas Tree Lighting.

In Cumberland, the Bear Creek Lake State Park is only a few weeks away from hosting its holiday lights program Dec. 8, 9 and 10.

Participants can donate toys and other items during these shows, in addition to dropping off gifts on Community Center Drive, near the Cumberland Department of Social Services building Dec. 12 and 15.

The South Central Virginia Operation Christmas Child Team started its work early, holding its kickoff event Sept. 7 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Dillwyn. The event featured a speaker from Belarus, Natasha Ivanova, who showed the impact the gift boxes collected from churches throughout Buckingham County and the Heart of Virginia have on recipients all over the world.

Witnessing people’s time, effort and joy in helping others, sometimes amid their own difficult circumstances, is something very inspiring to me and something I’m excited to report on as the holiday season approaches.

EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH is a staff writer for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@FarmvilleHerald.com.